Skin-Care Advice for Twentysomethings

Maybe it's because I work at a beauty magazine, or maybe it's because last year I had my first bad bout with acne (it's probably a combination of both), but I'm constantly trying to look better, younger, firmer, and glow-ier. No joke: I slather on about ten different products each day. The newest addition to my skin-care regimen was a "no downtime, no redness, no flaking" peel at N.Y.C. dermatologist Dennis Gross's new uptown office. I used the opportunity to ask Courtney Brooks, the medical aesthetician that administered my peel, for a little skin-care advice.

This is my first professional peel. How is it different from a facial?

"A peel achieves great exfoliation. The one we use here is a combination of multiple different acids that treat everything from acne and hyperpigmentation to fine lines and texture. Facials are usually more specific to those with complexion issues who desire a good clean with extractions, or for those with dry or normal skin who are looking for an added hydration boost. In either case, both facial styles can be amplified by using a peel after the extraction process."

I'm 23 now. When is a good time to start getting peels?

"On average, 25 is a great age to start getting involved in a more professional-strength skin-care regimen, since your skin is going through a transition period. But we commonly use peels to treat acne, so we see patients in their teens as well. You should get treated every four to six weeks to maintain the glow."

What kinds of treatments are twentysomething women getting now that they weren't a few years ago?

"Women in their 20s are much more open to coming in for mild forms of exfoliation, like peels, and have been doing way more laser treatments. Now there are lasers that can treat anything and everything—discoloration, sun spots, loss of firmness. By doing a combination of lasers, peels, and using proper skin care at home beginning in your 20s, women are becoming more proactive about preventative aging, which will keep them looking younger longer."

What do we all need to be doing right now for our skin?

"Wear SPF. It's so important in maintaining the skin you have in your 20s and protecting against pigmentation and wrinkles. Also, you are never too young to start treating the eye area. This is the most sensitive area on the face and where I believe you first see signs of aging. A retinol-based product will really boost results."